Financial Controller at MM Management 2020

Financial Controller

MM Management

Lagos

Job Summary
Job Descriptions

• Formulating and reviewing finance and accounting procedures and policies as and when required.
• Developing and cascading the Departmental targets through a performance management structure while inspiring team to achieve the departmental scorecard in line with overall objective
• Preparation of financial performance analysis
• Managing and planning for cash flow
• Timely reports
• Purchasing and reconciliation as required
• Spearheading, planning and coordinating the timely preparation of annual work plans that are translated into complete budgets for all business and support units.
• Ensuring timely and effective management of payments as per approved policies and procedures.
• Ensuring timely preparation and presentation of financial statements to the Board and the Management Committee on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Coordinating the preparation of tax returns to ensure compliance with taxation acts and statutory requirements.
• Assessment of options to facilitate raising capital for business growth

Required Experience and Qualifications

• 7+ yrs Experience
• Bachelors degree in Business/ Accounting or equivalent/CA/CPA/ACCA

Job Type: Full-time
Experience:

• Financial Accounting: 7 years (Preferred)

Click here to apply >>>

Head of Finance Job at GBC Professional Services 2020

GBC Professional Services

Lagos

GBC Professional Services - One of our prestigious clients in the Fast Foods and Restaurant industry is looking to fill the position below:
Job Position: Head of Finance
Job Location: Lagos
Requirements / Experience

• Must have a B.Sc / HND in Accounting.
• Must be a Chartered Accountant
• Must have a minimum of 7 years experience in related company and position.
• Must be able to prepare accounts up to balance sheet level.
• Must have good knowledge of accounting packages and Microsoft offices.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills
• Good Interpersonal skills.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their most recent CV to: aobgbc2@yahoo.co.uk , info@gbc-consult.com using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Cambodian leader blasts online misinformation about virus

Cambodian leader blasts online misinformation about virus

SOPHENG CHEANG




View photos

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen gestures during a speech on the current state of a new virus from China in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. Cambodia's leader has urged citizens to remain calm about the new virus from China, which has been confirmed in a single case of a visitor from Wuhan. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's leader urged people Thursday to remain calm about the new virus from China while threatening to kick out reporters or officials seen wearing a face mask.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a live televised address that people should not be scared because the real illness they faced was fear, based on inaccurate information on social media.

"The prime minister does not wear a mask, so why should you be wearing a mask here," he said.

Hun Sen, who very actively posts on Facebook, was critical about misinformation about the virus on the social media site.

He said the scarier illness was the irresponsible sharing of stories online that caused people without understanding of the virus to panic.

Hun Sen appeared to be referring to unverified social media reports about sicknesses and deaths from the virus in Cambodia. The Southeast Asian country has reported one confirmed case, a Chinese man who traveled from the city hardest-hit by the outbreak.

Hun Sen also announced he would not ban direct flights between Cambodia and China, saying that would disturb relations between them and hurt the economy of the country, which hosts many Chinese investors and tourists. People should not discriminate against the Chinese, he said.

China's own efforts to curb travel were an effective measure against the disease, Hun Sen said. Several foreign airlines have cut or stopped flights to China on their own initiative.

Beijing is the main foreign supporter of Hun Sen's authoritarian government, supplying major amounts of aid and investment. Cambodia in turn supports China's position on issues such as the South China Sea, where Beijing's territorial claims overlap with other governments.

Hun Sen turned to a traditional saying to make the point that none of his countrymen have been reported to have caught the illness.

“Why would we need to be afraid of tiger's dung since we are not scared of the tiger?" he said. "There is no one who died, and not a single Cambodian contracting the virus, it happened only to a Chinese man."

The man, who had traveled to Cambodia from Wuhan, was now almost recovered, Hun Sen said.

Taiwan repeats virus help offer to China, says wants its people home

Taiwan repeats virus help offer to China, says wants its people home

By Ben Blanchard,
Reuters•

By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Taiwan repeated its offer to help China fight the new coronavirus on Thursday, but said it also wanted China to help send back to the island some 400 Taiwanese who have been stranded in the epicentre city of Wuhan by a lockdown.

Self-ruled Taiwan has close economic and cultural links with China and has so far reported nine cases of the virus, which started in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and where most of the 170 deaths to date have occurred.

But political relations are tense. China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan, which it considers its own territory to be taken by force if needed, including holding military drills near the democratic island.

After Taiwan vice president-elect William Lai offered China help on Sunday, President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday repeated that offer and extended her sympathies to China, whose government has refused to have anything to do with her, believing she wants to push for the island's formal independence.

"Based on humanitarian considerations, we express our concern and condolences to the people affected by the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic in China. Wherever we can, we are willing to provide necessary assistance," she told a news conference, without providing details.

China said this week it was looking after Taiwanese in Wuhan to help "resolve problems" they may have, but has given no public indication of whether it will work with Taiwan to evacuate them.

Taiwan has been angered by China's blocking its attendance at the World Health Organisation, which Taiwan is not a member of as China says the island is merely a Chinese province and is adequately represented by Beijing.

In another area of tension, Taiwan says China has so far not responded to a request to help evacuate Taiwanese stranded in Wuhan, all but locked down to contain the epidemic.

While China has been permitting foreign countries to fly their citizens out of Wuhan, including Americans and Japanese, the fate of Taiwanese in Wuhan has been less clear, especially as China essentially considers them Chinese citizens.

Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, told reporters about 400 Taiwanese, mostly people there on short-term visits rather than long-term residents, had requested help from Taiwan and wanted to go home.

Taiwan is continuing to talk to China about how to get them back home via special flights, Chiu added, and said he would release more details when he had them.

"If the mainland side really values ​​the rights and interests of Taiwanese, it should respond to the government's calls as soon as possible," he said. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; editing by Nick Macfie)

Airlines curb or cancel China flights

AFP News
Airlines curb or cancel China flights



 AFP/File / Tolga Akmen A British Airways is among a number of airlines halting or reducing flights to China

A number of airlines say they are halting or reducing flights to China as the country struggles to contain the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

China has advised its citizens to postpone trips abroad and cancelled overseas group tours, while several countries have urged their citizens to avoid travel to China.

The World Health Organization declared an emergency over the virus but said it "does not recommend and actually opposes any restrictions" on travel and trade to China partly because it could disrupt needed aid.

The epidemic has killed 170 people, infected more than 7,000 worldwide including at least 80 outside China, Macau and Hong Kong, and spread to some 15 countries.

The Italian government said it was suspending all flights between Italy and China, adding it was the first EU government to do so.

The following is a list of airlines that have announced changes:

- AirAsia -

AirAsia said a ban on flights from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand to Wuhan, China has been extended until the end of February.

- Air Austral -

The airline is suspending flights between La Reunion and Guangzhou from February 8 to March 1.

- Air France -

Air France suspended its three weekly flights to Wuhan on January 24. It said Thursday it had halted regular flights to Beijing and Shanghai until February 9, although it added it would fly special flights with volunteer crews to evacuate employees and clients.

- Air India -

Air India announced Wednesday that it was suspending service on its Mumbai-New Delhi-Shanghai route effective January 31, and through February 14.

The flag carrier also said it would reduce the number of flights from Delhi to Hong Kong for the next two weeks.

- Air KBZ -

The Myanmar-based airline said it will halt flights to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou from February 1.

- Air Madagascar -

The airline said Thursday it was suspending its once-weekly flight between Antananarivo and Guangzhou during February, its only direct connection with China.

- American Airlines -

American Airlines said it will suspend flights from Los Angeles to Beijing and Shanghai from February 9 through March 27.

Flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Beijing and Shanghai have been maintained, the US carrier said.

- British Airways -

British Airways said it had suspended all flights to and from mainland China. The airline flies daily from London's Heathrow airport to Shanghai and Beijing.

The airline said it had taken the move following UK government advice against all but essential travel to China.

- Cathay Pacific -

The Hong Kong-based carrier said it would progressively reduce capacity by 50 percent or more on its routes to mainland China from Thursday through to the end of March.

The reduction concerns both Cathay Pacific and its Cathay Dragon subsidiary.

- Delta -

Delta Air Lines said it was temporarily halving the number of weekly flights connecting the US and China due to "significantly reduced customer demand" -- from 42 to about 21 per week.

The new schedule will be in effect from February 6 through April 30.

- EgyptAir -

EgyptAir said Thursday it was suspending flights to Hangzhou from February and those to other main cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou by February 4.

- EL AL -

The Israeli airline said Thursday it was suspending its flights to Beijing until March 25. Flights to other Chinese destinations are continuing.

- Finnair -

Finnair, which offers many connections between Europe and Asia, said it would suspend some flights beginning February 5 through most of March after group travel from China was halted.

For the moment, it will continue daily flights to Beijing and Shanghai, two daily flights to Hong Kong, and two flights a week to Guangzhou.

- IndiGo -

India's largest airline IndiGo announced it would suspend flights between Delhi and Chengdu (China) from February 1 until February 20. IndiGo also said they would suspend Bangalore-Hong Kong flights from February 1.

They added that for the time being they would continue to operate the Kolkata–Guangzhou flight, and closely monitor the situation.

- Iberia -

Iberia announced the suspension of its flight to Shanghai, the only flight they have to China, from Friday.

- Kazakhstan -

Kazakhstan says it will halt all transport links with China, beginning with road transport on February 1 and flights from February 3.

- KLM -

KLM says it is suspending all flights to China by the end of the weekend.

"Flights departing from Amsterdam on Sunday, February 2, are planned to give as many clients as possible the chance to travel from Beijing and Shanghai back to Amsterdam," KLM was quoted as saying by the NOS public broadcaster.

- Lion Air -

Indonesia's Lion Air Group, Southeast Asia's biggest carrier by fleet size, said Wednesday it would halt all flights to and from China.

The suspension, which affects routes to 15 different Chinese cities, takes effect from February 1 until further notice.

Indonesia attracts more than one million Chinese tourists annually and hosts tens of thousands of guest workers.

- Lufthansa -

German flag carrier Lufthansa is cancelling flights to mainland China until February 9.

The Lufthansa group, one of Europe's largest airline companies, said the decision also applied to flights run by its subsidiaries Swiss and Austrian Airlines.

The Lufthansa group normally operates 73 connections to and from mainland China a week, mainly to Beijing and Shanghai.

- Myanmar Airways International -

MAI has announced a suspension effective from Friday for charter flights to 10 Chinese cities and was allowing passengers booked on its regular service to Guangzhou to change their travel plans without charge.



- Myanmar National Airlines -

MNA has said it will halt flights to Hong Kong and Chengdu from Saturday.

- Royal Air Maroc -

The Moroccan national airline Royal Air Maroc announced it would suspend from Friday its flights from Casablanca to Beijing as demand plummeted. The link is to resume on February 29.

- Scandinavian Airlines -

SAS has announced it is halting direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from Friday until February 9. Service to Hong Kong is being continued although passengers are being offered opportunities to cancel or rebook.

- Singapore Airlines -

Singapore Airlines announced that it and subsidiary SilkAir will cancel some flights on selected routes to several major Chinese cities "due to the growing scale of the novel coronavirus outbreak."

- SkyUp Airlines -

The low-cost Ukrainian airline said it will halt charter services to China's resort island of Hainan until March 28.

- Turkish Airlines -

Turkish Airlines said it has suspended flights to four Chinese destinations - Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xian - until February 9.

- Ukraine International Airlines -

UIA said it would halt services to Hainan until February 24.

- United Airlines -

US carrier United Airlines has said it will trim its services to China from the United States in light of reduced demand in the wake of a US travel warning urging Americans to reconsider non-essential travel.

Having earlier announced reductions in the number of flights to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai between February 1 through February 8, on Thursday it announced from February 9 though March 28 it will reduce the number of daily flights from 12 to four.

- Urals Airlines -

Russia's Urals Airlines, which had already suspended flights to several destinations in China, said Wednesday it was cutting some services to Europe popular with Chinese tourists, including Paris and Rome, because of the outbreak.

burs-rl/cw/har/wdb

Star quality: telescope captures Sun in greatest detail ever

AFP News
Star quality: telescope captures Sun in greatest detail ever



NSO/NSF/AURA/AFP / HO 'Boiling' plasma that covers the Sun is seen in the highest-ever resolution images of the star, taken by the new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope

A huge telescope built on the peak of a Hawaiian island has produced pictures of the Sun's surface in unprecedented detail, revealing boiling plasma cells the size of Texas.

For the telescope's director, that's only just the beginning.

The Sun is a giant ball of plasma (electrified gas) that has been observed from Earth for centuries from telescopes, and via satellites for decades.

But the resolution has been limited: the Japanese space telescope Hinotori had a mirror of 20 inches (50 centimeters).

The new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the island of Maui has a 13-foot (four meters) mirror, the world's largest for a solar telescope.

"These images have the highest resolution that you've ever seen," said Thomas Rimmele, the telescope's director.

"We now see structures that we suspected would be there, based on computer models, but we never had the resolution to really see them," added the 60-year-old German astronomer.

Images first published Wednesday show a pattern of boiling plasma covering the Sun in cell-like structures. These are the result of violent motions transporting heat from the star's interior to its surface.


NSO/NSF/AURA/AFP / HO Hot plasma rises in the bright center of the cells, cools and then sinks below the surface in a process called convection


The hot plasma rises in the bright center of the cells, cools and then sinks below the surface in a process called convection.

The telescope came online on December 10 after nine years of construction.

"It was a really emotional moment, I was really happy," said Rimmele, who joined the project 25 years ago before eventually becoming its director. "It's my life's work."

Since the telescope focuses sunlight over a small area, it produces an enormous amount of heat.

"It gets really hot there, you can put metal there and it melts within a very short time," said Rimmele.

- Corona and sunspots -

It will take six more months to install additional scientific instruments and make the telescope fully operational.

Ultimately, the goal is to measure the magnetic fields in the Sun's atmosphere, and in particular in its corona, its outermost area that can be distinguished during an eclipse.

The magnetic fields govern solar flares that can affect air travel, disrupt satellite communications as well as bring down power grids and disable GPS, a relatively common event.

Mapping the Sun will thus help scientists deepen their understanding of these magnetic fields that regulate space weather, allowing us to anticipate storms and turn off sensitive equipment ahead of time.

The telescope has launched at an exciting time for astronomers: the Sun is about to enter a new 11-year cycle, in which it will start to produce new sunspots.

It is currently at the low ebb of its cycle and no spots are visible.

"That is the goal, to publish a close up image, highest resolution image ever of a sunspot," said Rimmele.

Johnson hails 'new dawn' as Britain bids farewell to EU

AFP News
Johnson hails 'new dawn' as Britain bids farewell to EU



AFP / Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD Ahead of Britain's departure from the EU, Brussels' Grand-Place was on Thursday lit in red, white and blue

Britain on Friday will end almost half a century of integration with its closest neighbours and leave the European Union, starting a new -- but still uncertain -- chapter in its long history.

At the clocks strike 11:00 pm -- midnight in Brussels (2300 GMT) -- Britain becomes the first country to leave the 28-member bloc and goes it alone for the first time since 1973.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed Brexit since the 2016 referendum vote to leave that triggered bitterness and division but he has promised to unite the country in a new era of prosperity.

Official celebrations will be muted out of respect for half the population who wanted to stay in the EU and who remain fearful of what lies ahead.

"Our job as the government, my job, is to bring this country together and take us forward," Johnson said in a statement to mark the historic occasion.

He added: "This is not an end but a beginning. This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act."


 AFP / Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD Nothing will immediately feel different thanks to a transition period negotiated as part of an EU-UK exit deal, which was ratified only this week


Nothing will immediately feel different thanks to an 11-month transition period negotiated as part of an EU-UK exit deal ratified this week.

Britons will be able to work in and trade freely with EU nations until December 31, and vice versa, although the UK will no longer be represented in the bloc's institutions.

But legally, Britain is out -- with no easy way back.

And while the exit terms have been agreed, it must still strike a deal on future relations with the EU, its largest trading partner.

"We will remain friends, allies and partners," Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator in those upcoming talks, told the BBC.

He added his thoughts Friday were with "the millions of British citizens who are sad, as we are sad".

- Divided country -

Getting this far has been a traumatic process.

Despite Britain's resistance to many EU projects over the years -- it refused to join the single currency or the Schengen free travel area -- the 2016 vote to leave was a huge shock.

It unleashed political chaos in London, sparking years of bitter arguments that paralysed parliament and forced the resignations of two prime ministers.


AFP / Tolga AKMEN Brexit unleashed political chaos in London, sparking years of bitter arguments that paralysed parliament and forced the resignations of two prime ministers

Johnson brought an end to the turmoil with his decisive election victory last month, which gave him the parliamentary majority to ratify the Brexit deal.

But Britons remain as divided as they were nearly four years ago, when 52 percent voted to leave and 48 percent voted to remain in the EU.

Friday's newspapers reflected that continued split, with best-selling eurosceptic tabloid The Sun triumphantly declaring "our time has come" on its front page alongside an image of Big Ben.

But pro-European The Guardian opted for the headline "small island", calling Brexit "the biggest gamble in a generation".

- 'Never coming back' -

Johnson, himself a polarising figure, has emphasised unity and is avoiding any major celebrations that might exacerbate divisions.

He will first host a special cabinet meeting in the northeastern English city of Sunderland, which was the first to declare for Brexit in the 2016 vote.

At 10:00 pm, he will broadcast an address to the nation, and then host a reception for staff at Downing Street.

A light show will also be held outside No 10, while millions of commemorative 50 pence coins are being minted to mark the occasion.

By contrast ex-MEP Nigel Farage, who has spent decades campaigning to leave the EU, is planning a large rally in nearby Parliament Square.


AFP / Tolga AKMEN Official celebrations will be muted out of respect for half the population who wanted to stay in the EU and who remain fearful of what lies ahead


He gave a triumphant speech Wednesday, his last day as a member of the European Parliament, waving Union Jack flags and declaring that Britain was "never coming back".

But afterwards, many MEPs bade Britain an emotional goodbye and broke into a chorus of the traditional Scottish song of farewell, "Auld Lang Syne".

Brussels' Grand-Place was on Thursday lit in red, white and blue.

- Trade talks loom -

British eurosceptics have campaigned for decades to free their country from what they see as an overly bureaucratic and unaccountable institution.

Johnson has promised to leave the EU's single market and customs union so Britain can strike trade deals around the world.


 POOL/AFP / KEVIN LAMARQUE Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hailed the potential of a UK-US trade deal

But exactly how that will work -- and at what cost to firms that depend on EU business -- is unclear.

The divorce deal resolved the issue of London's debts, the rights of EU expatriates, the status of Northern Ireland and the transition period.

But Johnson has given himself just 11 months to negotiate a new partnership, covering everything from trade to security cooperation.

He will set out his plans in a speech on Monday but Brussels has already warned he must either limit his ambitions or ask for more time.

Johnson also wants a trade deal with the United States, where President Donald Trump is a big Brexit backer.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hailed the potential opportunities during a visit to London on Thursday, saying: "You will see the enormous benefits that accrued to both of our nations as a result of this."

Nintendo says no new Switch in 2020

News
Nintendo says no new Switch in 2020


AFP / Kazuhiro NOGI Nintendo won't be bringing out a new version of its wildly popular Switch device this year, the firm's president Shuntaro Furukawa said

Japanese gaming giant Nintendo said Friday there would be no fresh model of its hot-selling Switch console this year, dashing the hopes of fans eager for a new version.

"We have no plans to launch a new Nintendo Switch model in 2020," president Shuntaro Furukawa told a briefing in Tokyo.

Competition in the industry is expected to grow tougher this year as Sony prepares to launch its next-generation PlayStation 5 for the Christmas season, and with upcoming 5G mobile phones expected to offer more sophisticated gaming.

But Furukawa said the Switch's life cycles and customer bases were different from rival consoles.

"Other companies' business moves will not have a special impact on our business," he said.

The original Switch console, a hybrid that can be used for handheld play or hooked up to a screen at home, has become a huge global seller.

It is entering its fourth year, which Furukawa described as the "early stage of its middle life."

But its sales are still solid with powerful software titles.

Last September, Nintendo also launched a scaled back, cheaper version of the console, called Switch Lite, which is a strictly handheld device. Its sales have also been solid.

In December the Kyoto-based firm behind Super Mario and Pokemon rolled out the flagship Switch model in China via Tencent to further boost its global reach.

After the stock market closed on Thursday, the company reported a leap in sales and profit for the nine months to December, upgrading its full-year profit forecast on strong demand for Switch consoles.

But the stock fell more than four percent on Friday.

"Its earnings were not bad but market expectations had been higher," said Makoto Sengoku, market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute.

The absence of a console launch would not hurt Nintendo much thanks to its hit software titles, he added.

"The new coronavirus is rather worrying," he added, noting it could disrupt Nintendo's shipments from Chinese factories.

"Stocks related to inbound tourists have been falling but now investors have realised Nintendo could also be affected," he said.

Nintendo said Thursday its net profit for April-December rose 16.4 percent from a year earlier to 196.4 billion yen ($1.8 billion) on robust sales of hardware and software.

US warns against China travel, as virus death toll hits 213

AFP News
US warns against China travel, as virus death toll hits 213



AFP / Hector RETAMAL Officials in protective suits stand near an elderly man wearing a mask who collapsed and died on a street near a hospital in Wuhan

The United States told its citizens to avoid China after the World Health Organization declared a global coronavirus emergency, as the Chinese death toll rose Friday to 213 and total infections surpassed the SARS epidemic of two decades ago.

The State Department raised it warning alert to the highest level, telling Americans "do not travel" to China and urged those already there to leave.

Hours earlier, the WHO, which was criticised for initially downplaying the virus threat, changed tack after crisis talks in Geneva.


 AFP / China coronavirus: international evucuations


"Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the emergency was declared.

"We must all act together now to limit further spread... We can only stop it together."

- Taking action -

Tedros said travel and trade restrictions involving China were unnecessary.

But, with the disease spreading to more than 20 nations, authorities, businesses and worried people around the world were taking matters into their own hands.


AFP / Mladen ANTONOV Commuters in masks wait to board a canal boat at Pratunam Pier in Bangkok

Japan on Friday urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to China, following similar warnings by Germany, Britain and other nations in recent days.

Those warnings are not as definitive as the US directive against all travel to China.

Among the array of other extraordinary containment efforts, many major airlines this week suspended or reduced flights to China.


AFP / STR A doctor prepares to enter the isolation ward at a hospital in Wuhan, epicentre of the virus outbreak


Mongolia also halted cross-border traffic with its huge neighbour and Russia sealed its remote far-eastern frontier.

Some countries banned entry for travellers from Wuhan, the city in central Hubei province where the virus first surfaced.

Italy and Israel on Thursday barred all flight connections with China.

Impoverished Papua New Guinea went so far as to bar all visitors from "Asian ports".

- Growing panic -

China said Friday it planned to send charter planes to bring back Hubei residents who are now abroad, citing the "practical difficulties" that they have encountered overseas. Those from Wuhan will be returned to their quarantined city, the foreign ministry said.

The US reported its first case of person-to-person transmission of the virus on American soil -- a man in Chicago who got it from his wife, who had travelled to Wuhan.


 AFP / NICOLAS ASFOURI A man wearing a mask, goggles and gloves buys beverages at a supermarket in Beijing

In a sign of growing global fears, more than 6,000 tourists were temporarily confined aboard their cruise ship at an Italian port after two Chinese passengers fell ill. They later tested negative for the coronavirus.

And a pilot union in the United States sued American Airlines to demand it halt all flights to China.

- Death toll grows -

China has taken extreme steps to stop the spread of the virus, including effectively quarantining more than 50 million people in Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province.

But the number of new deaths and cases continues to swell.

The death toll was hiked on Friday to 213 after 43 new deaths, all but one in Hubei. Most deaths have been elderly people.


AFP / Michael Tewelde Medical staff of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health prepare to screen passengers at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa


China's National Health Commission also said Friday that 1,982 new cases had been confirmed, bringing the total to 9,692.

That exceeds the 8,096 cases from SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) a similar pathogen that spread to more than two dozen countries in 2002-03, and killed 774 people, mostly in China and Hong Kong.

Another 102,000 people are under medical observation in China with possible coronavirus symptoms.

The new virus is believed to have emerged in a Wuhan market that sold wild game, and spread by a Lunar New Year holiday season in which hundreds of millions of Chinese travel domestically or abroad.

China has suspended school nationwide and extended the Lunar New Year holiday in an effort to limit people travelling.

- Airlifts continue -

Thousands of foreigners have been trapped in Wuhan since it was sealed off last week, and countries have been scrambling to organise evacuation flights for their nationals.


AFP / GERARD JULIEN A French gendarme walks at the entrance of a holiday resort near Marseille, France, where French citizens evacuated from Wuhan, China, are expected to be put under quarantine for 14 days

France on Friday airlifted around 200 of its citizens from the city. They will be placed under two-week quarantine back home.

Britain followed suit within hours, extracting 110 British and foreign nationals.

"It's sad to leave a country which you're attached to," Adrien, a 26-year-old French auto industry employee, told AFP before the flight. "We're also relieved because we don't know how things will turn out in China."

Japan and the United States were the first to fly citizens out on Wednesday.


AFP / Aamir QURESHI Men wearing masks smoke outside a Pakistan-based Chinese company in Islamabad


Others that have done so include South Korea and India.

Three people aboard Japan's first evacuation flight tested positive after landing back home, two of whom showed no symptoms, underscoring the difficulty detecting the coronavirus.

Japan has drawn criticism by allowing its evacuees to "self-quarantine".

- Economic worries -

The WHO has declared a global health emergency five times since the practice began in 2007 -- for swine flu, polio, Zika and twice for Ebola.

It allows the UN health body to issue recommendations that the international community is expected to follow.

Global stock markets have been pummelled after corporate giants including Toyota, IKEA, Starbucks, Tesla, McDonald's and others temporarily froze production or closed large numbers of outlets in China.

But investors took some heart Friday after the WHO recommended against trade and travel restrictions for now, with Asian markets opening higher.

Throughout China, evidence of fear multiplied, with makeshift barriers going up in some residential neighbourhoods.

burs-dma/lth/kma

Democrats court Iowans ahead of vote, some stuck in Trump trial

News
Democrats court Iowans ahead of vote, some stuck in Trump trial


AFP / JIM WATSON Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden is barnstorming the state in an attempt to win his party's presidential nomination

Democratic presidential candidates like Joe Biden are traversing Iowa Friday, days before an all-important vote launches the party's nomination contest. But three high-profile hopefuls are unprecedentedly absent, tethered to Donald Trump's impeachment trial as rivals court undecided voters.

All eyes are on the snowy, sparsely-populated state as a dozen White House contenders battle for the all-important early momentum in the race to see who challenges President Donald Trump in November's election.

With all to play for, former vice president Biden, the 77-year-old national frontrunner, and fellow moderate Pete Buttigieg, 38, a former Indian mayor, have launched days-long whistlestop bus tours to press the flesh in all corners of the state.

Each has several in-state events Friday. But three main challengers -- Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar -- are not there, bound by their duty to sit in judgment of President Trump during his impeachment trial.

In a twist of political fate, the very process that each of them hoped would conclude with Trump's historic removal from office has deprived them of multiple days in Iowa at peak campaign time.

Warren was forced to cancel her appearance at two Friday campaign events, in Sioux City and Ames, "due to the schedule for impeachment," her campaign said.

Surrogates including congresswomen Ayanna Pressley and Katie Porter will fill her shoes.

Sanders will miss his Iowa events Friday but he too will have stand-ins, including two liberal congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.


AFP / SAUL LOEB US President Donald Trump sought to snatch the spotlight from Democrats at a rally in Iowa days before the contest that kicks off the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination battle


It remained unclear whether Sanders could escape Washington in time Friday to host his campaign's 6:00 pm concert in a suburb of Iowa's capital, Des Moines, featuring indie band Bon Iver.

The Senate is to hold a vote Friday on whether more witnesses should appear at Trump's impeachment trial.

But with a key Republican senator announcing he would oppose calling for witnesses, a vote to convict, or far more likely to acquit, Trump could come as early as Friday.

Trump jetted in to Iowa Thursday to cast a long shadow over the upcoming vote, hammering away at the "madness" of the far left and criticizing their efforts to remove him from office.

"We're having probably the best years that we've ever had in the history of our country -- and I just got impeached! Can you believe these people?" he huffed at a packed rally where attendees chanted "Four more years!"

The notoriously vindictive leader took aim at several of rivals: "Crazy" Bernie Sanders, "Sleepy Joe" Biden, and former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg.

"Nobody can pronounce his name," Trump grimaced.

- 'Galvanize, not polarize' -

Biden spent Thursday on the campaign trail hugging and taking selfies with supporters as well as railing against a president he has declared a danger to America.


AFP / JIM WATSON Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren's team brought her golden retriever Bailey to campaign events in Iowa

"I can hardly wait to debate this man," Biden told a crowd in Waukee before the president landed.

Trump, Biden said, is trying to obliterate the healthcare law known as Obamacare, ignores climate change and has "walked away from our allies and embraced dictators and thugs," the 77-year-old Democrat added.

His focus on Trump suggests he is already making the case for a Biden-Trump showdown.

Democrats have also clashed against one another on policy, performance or personalities.

Buttigieg signalled a readiness to take on both Biden and Sanders -- who have lost three previous party nomination races between them -- when he called them out by name and urged voters to turn the page from yesterday's politics.

"History has shown us that the biggest risk we could take with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump," Buttigieg told Iowans in Decorah.

"We've got to galvanize, not polarize" Americans.


AFP/File / Kerem Yucel Candidates' campaign signs are staked into front yards and outside gathering places across Iowa ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation vote in the Democratic nomination process


Divergent political views suggest Democrats remain undecided on which path to take in the general election, and Trump mercilessly mocked the radical left-leaning approach from candidates like Sanders, who advocates for universal health care and tuition-free college.

"The Democrats will lose because America will never be a socialist country," he said.

The Iowa race is tight. Sanders, a 78-year-old running as a Democratic socialist, is leading the charge in the state, with Biden hot on his heels.

Centrist Buttigieg, 38, and progressive Warren, 70, are within striking distance, with a fifth candidate, 59-year-old Klobuchar, in the second-tier but hoping to land a major upset.

source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/democrats-court-iowans-ahead-vote-some-stuck-trump-trial-doc-1ok4lv1

2020/2021 Joint United Nations Programme Internship on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations-UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank-and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Duration: The duration of internships is limited to a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of six months.
Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates for internships at UNAIDS must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate degree program at a recognized educational institution (and have completed three years of full-time studies) or have completed a course of study and have been awarded an undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate degree at a recognized educational institution
  • If candidates are recent graduates they will be expected to start and complete the internship within 12 months of their date of graduation.
• Candidates must be at least 20 years of age at the date of application and have a working knowledge (both oral and written) of at least one of the WHO/UNAIDS’s official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) require in the office of internship.
• Candidates should be holders of a valid passport from WHO/UNAIDS Member State.
• Persons with immediate family members employed by the UNAIDS Secretariat (e.g. son/daughter, brother/sister or mother/father) are not eligible for internships. UNAIDS may offer an internship to candidates who have not previously participated in UNAIDS’ internship program.

UNAIDS Internship Benefits.

• Stipend may be offered by UNAIDS.
• During the internship period official travel may exceptionally be required.
• Interns will be provided with general medical illness, accident and emergency illness coverage insurance.

UNAIDS Internship Terms and Conditions.

• Ability to work effectively in teams, adapt and integrate easily with the team, work cooperatively in support of team objectives.
• Ability to convey ideas and thoughts in a clear and convincing way in one-on-one discussions or groups presentations and ability to produce clear correspondence and written reports.
• Ability to effectively apply their knowledge and skills to the job, and to consistently learn and improve performance.
• Ability to show initiative and enthusiasm in their work, effectively organize and manage time, and deliver high-quality results in line with agreed objectives.
• Ability to innovate and find new ways of working and improving results while maintaining a strong service orientation.
• Ability to take ownership of assigned responsibilities, to be productive, fulfill commitments and use resources responsibly.

Method of Application
Interested candidates who meet the criteria listed above should apply by clicking on the “Apply” button below:
APPLY HERE OFFICIAL LINK

2020 Graduate Trainee Programme for Young Nigerians at KPMG

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory Services. Our vision is to build and sustain our reputation as the best firm to work with by ensuring our people, clients and communities achieve their full potential.
KPMG is a team of outstanding professionals with diverse backgrounds, varied experience and probing minds. We always strive to win. Not as individuals but by working as a team.   Our winning culture is based on collaborative teamwork, and we create results by being open-minded, helping each other and showing trust in each other’s method and capabilities.
KPMG is seeking to hire exceptional graduates who will be part of a dynamic team in the Internal Audit & Risk Compliance Unit (IARCS).
Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must below 26 years of age
• Candidates must have 5 credits at O’ Levels in one sitting, including Mathematics and English
• Candidates must have a minimum of Second Class Upper in any discipline
• Must not have written the KPMG test before.

Method of Application
Interested candidates who meet the criteria listed above should apply by clicking on the “Apply” button below:
APPLY HERE
Apply Before: Not Specified.

2020 CBN Loan application Form and How To Apply for Collateral free loan

Apply for N10 million CBN AGSMEIS 5% Loan Today. The Agric Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS) is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria. CBN AGSMEIS Loan 2020 application is currently ongoing – Apply here!
With the CBN AGSMEIS Loan, you can access up to N10M at 5% per year from the Agric, Small and medium enterprise scheme (AGSMEIS), an initiative from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); this is without collateral.
What is Agric Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS)?
AGSMEIS is an initiative of the Bankers’ Committee in a bid to support and complement the Federal Governments’ efforts at promoting Agri-businesses/Small and Medium Enterprises as a vehicle for sustainable economic development and employment generation.
AGSMEIS is a voluntary initiative of the Bankers’ Committee approved at its 331st meeting held on 9th February, 2017. The Scheme requires all banks in Nigeria to set aside 5% of their profit after tax (PAT) annually.
The initiative is to support the Federal Government’s efforts and policy measures for the promotion of Agricultural Businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as vehicles for sustainable economic development and employment generation.
Objectives of the Agric, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS)
The objectives of the Scheme include :

• To develop agricultural value chain and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
• To boost the managerial capacity of Agri-Business/SMEs as pipelines of growing enterprises that can become huge corporate organizations.
• To ensure Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)have access to finance
• To generate much-needed employment opportunities in Nigeria

Objectives of CBN AGSMEIS Loan Form 2020/2021
MSMEs in the following sectors are eligible:

• Services (Hospitality, Restaurants, Catering, Services, etc),
• ICT,
• Manufacturing/Production,
• Mining,
• Creative Industry (Fashion, Design, Crafts, Entertainment, etc),
• etc
• Agricultural businesses,
• Education,
• Health,

CBN AGSMEIS Loan Activities
The activities covered by the Central Bank of Nigeria Agric, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme, AGSMEIS Loan includes;

• MSMEs in the service sector including information and communication technology (ICT) and the creative industry. Other activities as may be determined by the Bankers’ Committee from time to time.
• Businesses across the agricultural value chain covering inputs supply, production, storage, processing, logistics and marketing. MSMEs in the real sector including manufacturing, mining and petrochemicals.

CBN AGSMEIS Loan Eligibility
Now to access AGSMEIS loan, there are some conditions that must be met.

1. Interested applicant must have been trained by an Entrepreneur Development Institute (EDI)
2. Interested applicant will apply for loan via an EDI
3. The applications will then be sent to CBN for processing
4. Applicants will be called for an interview regarding his/her business.
5. Those qualified will be contacted and given the loan.
6. Fill clearly the new form with all the details required , sign and get them authenticated by EDC – http://www.edcsouthwest.org/

Note: Maximum loan is 10million; Interest rate is 5% per annum; Tenor is 7 yrs and Moratorium is 18 months.
Requirements for CBN Loan Approval of Application and Disbursement of Funds.
The following are the Requirements necessary either during application or before final approval of the CBN loan application and final disbursement of funds to an applicant.

1. Registered business with CAC
2. Evidence of tax payments
3. BVN
4. Letter of Introduction
5. Letter of Guaranty
6. Certification by an EDI
7. Passport photo of you and guarantor
8. Valid ID card

Who Can Write Letter of Introduction for CBN AGSMEIS Loan?

1. Your Pastor
2. Chief Imam
3. LGA Chairman
4. CDA Chairman
5. Village Head
6. Senior Civil Servants Level 14 above
7. MD of Blue Chip Companies
8. Your friend or spouse can write the guaranty letter.

Important Notice: Please note that applicants who submitted last year and was sent a link to provide further details before the last requirements came out do not need to re-submit again.
AGSMEIS Loan Interest Rate
Five percent(5%) for the first five(5) years. If you obtain One Million Naira(N1,000,000), you will pay back One Million Fifty Thousand Naira(N1,050,000) throughout the duration of the loan.
Method of Application
Step 1 : Get Trained

• Attend a one week compulsory training at a CBN certified Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI). You can check the list of CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria.

Step 2 : Apply For Loan

• The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) guides and assists you in getting all necessary documents required to secure the loan. Download the agsmeis loan application form pdf. Note that, you can get the current application form from the CBN EDC that trained you.

Step 3 : Receive Funds

• Loans are paid into the account of beneficiaries. Unqualified candidates are given feedback.

Step 4 : Get Business Support Services

• The Entrepreneurship Development Institute assists you to implement business plan and provide business support services commercially.

Step 5 : Make Sales

• Sell products and services to pay back loan and make profit.

Step 6 : Repay Loan

• Run your business, keep proper records, monitor sales and expenses to maximize profit and pay back the loan.

About National Microfinance Bank (NMFB).
The National Microfinance Bank is a leading Nigerian financial institution licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Nigeria. The Company was incorporated as a Private Limited Company in 2019 and commenced operations following the grant of a licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate as a National Microfinance Bank in the same year. It is Owned 50% by the Bankers Committee, 40% by NIRSAL and 10% NIPOST. So far the bank has disbursed approximately 776 million in loans to eligible SMEs under the AGSMEIS.
List of CBN Approved Entrepreneurial Development Centers (EDC) in Nigeria.
The CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria provide physical structures, training materials, equipments, human resources and other facilities that would assure internationally competitive, effective and sustainable services capable of meeting the needs of MSMEs in the country. This is to encourage private entrepreneurship, self employment, job creations, income growth, poverty eradication and economic development.
The CBN Entrepreneurship Development Centres (CBN EDCs) which target those with at least secondary education has the following specific objectives:

• To develop entrepreneurship spirit amongst Nigerians and provide insight into the tools,
  techniques and framework for managing all functional areas of business enterprise, including
  production, marketing, personnel and finance.
• To develop skills of would-be-entrepreneurs to successfully start, expand, diversify and
  manage business enterprises as well as link them with financial institutions for start up capital,
  especially the microfinance banks.
• To generate employment opportunities for Nigerians in pursuance of the provisions of the
  National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy [NEEDS] and recently vision
  2020.
• To raise a new class of entrepreneurs/owners, who can compete globally and succeed in
  managing MSMEs and provide the bridge for future industrialization of the country.

List of CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria.
Below is the list of CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria and their addresses :
CBN-EDC, Ibadan (South West)
Website: www.edcsouthwest.org
Address: Old SDSTC (Oyo Oodua Skill Acquisition Centre Premises),
Samonda, along Sango-UI Road,
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
CBN-EDC, PortHarcourt (South South)
Website: www.ssedc.org
30 Trans-Woji road, Grace plaza, by Slaughter Bridge Woji Town,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
CBN-EDC, Maiduguri (North East)
website : edcnortheast.com.ng
Address: Old Informatics Institute, Njimtillo, Kano Road,
Maiduguri, Borno State
CBN-EDC, Kano (North West)
Address: Murtala Muhammed Library Complex,
Kano, Kano State
CBN-EDC, Makurdi (North Central)
Off Jonah Jang Crescent,
Near Federal Secretariat,
Makurdi, Benue State.
CBN-EDC, Minna (North Central)
Address: Minna Innovation Institute,
Behind Niger State Sharia Commission,
Justice Ndajiwo Drive,
Minna, Niger State.
CBN-EDC, Enugu (South East)
Address: Ebenezer Villa Suite
8, Ogenyi Close, Off Cornerstone Avenue
Off Nike Lake Resort Road,
Enugu, Enugu State.
You can get more contact addresses of Entrepreneurship development centres in Nigeria – https://www.boi.ng/edcpartners/
Centre for Entrepreneurial Development
website : www.cedl.org
36, Murtala Mohammed International
Airport Road, Lagos.

Chief Financial Officer at The Reddington Multi-specialist Hospital

Chief Financial Officer

Ikeja

The Reddington Multi-specialist Hospital built on nine floors provides fully comprehensive tertiary hospital solutions in most medical areas. Our journey as a healthcare provider began in March 2006 with the establishment of the Cardiac Centre, in Victoria Island, in association with the renowned Cromwell Hospital in London.
Job Title: Chief Financial Officer
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Location: Lagos
Job Field: Finance / Accounting / Audit

Location: Ikeja, Lagos
Job Type: Full Time or Part Time

Job Requirements

Min Required Experience:

Not Specified

Min Qualification:

Bachelor's Degree/HND

Desired Courses:

Not Specified

Other Requirements:

Requirements

• Interested candidates should possess relevant qualifications and experience.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: recruitment@reddingtonhospital.com using the Job Title as subject of the email.

Finance Analyst Kimberly Ryan 2020

Lagos

Our client, an International Betting Company is currently trying to fill the role of a FINANCE ANALYST

Department: Business Development

Project Location(s): Lagos, Nigeria

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Ability to initiate and complete budgetary cycle bottom up;
• Ability to compare Management Report against Budget and

analyse variances;

• Ability to prepare BEP and financial ratios at all levels of the

business;

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of revenue recognition for all

customers

• Responsible for Budgeting and Control; Forecasting; Variance Analysis; Business Case
• Ability to initiate and complete budgetary cycle bottom up
• Ability to prepare BEP and financial ratios at all levels of the business

QUALIFICATION

• Candidate should possess a degree in Accounting or any numerate discipline
• Possess Strong Numerical Skills, Communication Skills
• Ability to multi task
• Candidate must be analytical, high proficient in the use of Excel and Activity Based Costing

Applications are to be submittedto resumes@kimberly-ryan.net using the Job title as the subject of the mail

Finance Officer at Addosser Microfinance Bank 2020

Addosser Microfinance Bank Limited is an innovative financial institution dedicated to improving the living condition of everyday people through value-added financial products and services. The bank was incorporated in 2008 and is duly licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a microfinance bank.

Finance Officer
Job TypeFull Time
QualificationBA/BSc/HND
Experience 2 years
LocationLagos
Job Field Finance / Accounting / Audit


Job Responsibilities
Daily Reconciliation of Correspondence Bank Account Positions.
Raising Journal Entries to update inflow and outflow of funds within all Correspondent Banks.
Liquidity managment.
Monthly remittances of Tax deductions for both Federal and Lagos State Tax Authorities.
Maintenance of all Financial Documents.
Preparation of Monthly Depreciation Schedule of the Banks’ Fixed Assets and monthly amortization of outstanding prepared expenses.
To produce monthly, quarterly, half yearly financial reports of the organisation.
Monitor budget preparation and ensure proper monitor of performance and report any derivation from plan.
Evaluate financial reporting systems, accounting procedures and investment activities.
Preparation of Month End Reconciliation of Correspondent Bank Account Positions.
Keeping Track of Banks’ Investments in Treasury Bills, Time Deposits and Call Deposits and ensurring approval is obtained from the Head, Finance for either rollover or liquidation at Maturity.
Daily Review of General Ledgers.
Involved in budget preparation and implementation.

Relevant Skills, Qualification, Attributes & Experience
HND /University Degree in Banking & Finance or Accounting
Student Member of Professional body e.g. ACCA, ICAN , ANAN
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in financial services
IFRS experience strongly desired
Knowledge of the banking regulations and laws
Proficiency in Computer Applications Excel /Microsoft Office/Banking Application
Good written and oral communication
Highly attentive to detail with excellent organizational and documentation skills
Proven analytical skills and problem solving ability paired with meticulous attention to detail
Desire to work in a fast-paced environment, consistently adhering to deadlines and evolving priorities.
Candidate must be between 24 – 30 years of age (age should be clearly stated on cv)
Detail-oriented and strong planning and organizing skills
Excellent interpersonal, numerical and analytical skills
Unquestionable integrity and high level of commitment

Method of Application


Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: careers@addosser.com using the "Job title" as subject of the email.
Know Your Worth, Use our Salary Calculator Today